Government workers condemns DOJ resolution

By Karen Pastor, Carmela Quidoles and Isadora Romeral

MANILA- “Maglingkod sa bayan, wag sa Ampatuan!”

The cries for justice of the members of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and
Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), along with the members of Anakpawis,
filled the air today in protest held in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila against
the decision of acting Secretary Alberto Agra on clearing Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan & Mayor
Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr. from the Magunidanao murder case.

“Kinokondena namin ang ginawang pag-abswelto sa dalawang Ampatuan sa murder case, sa

kabilang banda pinagpupugayan namin ang state prosecutors na publicly ay dinefy nila ang
resolution o order ng kanilang superior sa kabila ng banta na mawalan sila ng trabaho at
mawalan ng buhay,” says Isa Artajo, spokesperson of COURAGE.

According to Artajo, the state prosecutors show clear display of public service. Their
organization highly commends and salutes the state prosecutors for their courage to stand up for
the truth.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang rally hangga’t hindi nabibigyan ng hustisya ang mga namasaker,” says Rose
Deblois, first vice president of COURAGE.

Deblois emphasized that they are currently studying the possibility of filing a case against
secretary Agra for the reason that he was only an ‘acting secretary’ but he already made a
decision of releasing the Ampatuans that even the state prosecutors were appalled.

“Nananawagan ang COURAGE sa taong bayan na patuloy na maging vigilant at huwag nating
hayaang humupa lamang ang kaso,” Artajo adds.

She stressed the importance of continuously fighting for justice for if we stop, the perpetrators
will not be punished.

The protest rally will continue until justice is served for the victims of the Ampatuan massacre.

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